156 Squadron Pictures

Copyright © 2007 Sean Edwards

Back Row left to right
F/L Harris, F/L Wilson, F/O Mason, F/O Freeman, F/O Cann, F/O, Lewis, F/L Williams, F/L Rollin, F/O Spinley, F/L Todd

Front Row left to right
F/L Kitson, F/L Hiscock, F/L Neal, F/L Latford, W/C Lawson, W/C Falconer ('A' Flight Commander),
W/C/ Bingham-Hall (Squadron Commander - with dog), W/C Ison ('B' Flight Commander),
S/L Robertson, F/L Clayton, F/L Wilson, F/L Pope

Thanks to Peter Neal, son of F/L William George Neal, for the names of people in the photo.

Pilots of 156 Squadron in may 1944

Copyright © 2007 Sean Edwards

156 Squadron with ground crew in May 1944

THE MASON CREW

The Mason Crew.

This crew started operation on 22 June 1944 and operating continuously until the ceasation of hostilities in Europe, totting up 53 sorties without ever turning back, this despite twice having a gun turret out of service. They served with 625 Squadron in One group (11 sorties) before joining 156 Pathfinders Squadron (46 sorties). Four of the crew, F/L WEB Mason (pilot), P/O FV Walton (Flight Engineer), F/O HJ Collison (Navigator) and F/S AG Orchard (Rear Gunner) are known to have been awarded the D.F.C.

Above is a five minute video interview with Bill Mason

Here is a link to the website with more information http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/flying_with_the_raf.html

Alan Chambers Collection via Victor Walton

Alfred Barnes Pictures
156 Lancaster Pathfinder Squadron ground crew

Picture of LAC Mick Lennon and unknown colleague in front of a refuelling petrol bowser at Upwood circa 1944/45

Some of 156 ground crew photo taken in 1944/45. LAC Mick Lennon is back row far right,
and Cpl Alf Barnes (his drinking compaion) is next to him.


156 Squadron ground crew 1944/45. LAC Mick Lennon is on the back row far right.
Cpl Alf Barnes seated middle front.
Note the "camp transport" vehicle leaning against the wall of the barrack block


Also anyone remember me ?

ex Cpl Alfred Barnes (service number 1305352)
worked in the 156 Squadron Adjutant's office under Flight Serjeant Bartlett in 1944 / 1945

Many thanks to Steve and Alfred Barnes who sent me these pictures

A visitor to Turbine Motor Works
LAC Frederick Charles Steggall 156 Squadron with his Family 2006

Copyright © 2007 Sean Edwards
Left to right Colonel Rogers (USAF Hospital Upwood), Steve Gunyon (Turbine Motor works)
A D Pelly (156 Squadron Pilot) and Me, Sean Edwards (Raf Upwood Historian)
This picture was taken on the 19th May 2006 outside Hangar 2 at Upwood.

DEDICATION TO THE GROUND CREWS

Cpl. James Albert Mole pictured right on the front row

On the 9th of September 1944, an accident happened when the ground crew of 156 squadron were removing the bomb load from Lancaster III ND978 GT  At 11.20 the bombs load exploded killing 6 people. Lancaster ND978 GT brought back the bomb load from le Havre due to most hazardous circumstances, flown by Squadron CO W/C/ T L Bingham-hall DFC.

The men Killed while serving our country were:

156 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Cpl. William Edward Gill... AGE 25

Cpl. James Albert Mole... AGE 29

LAC Herbert Bromley Jones... AGE 33

LAC James Frederick Thompson... AGE 42

ACI James Ellis... AGE 23

9156 Servicing Ech. LAC Thomas Edward Henry Graham... AGE 25

Sgt. N. Piercy was injured during the explosion

The memorial service held at the site of the accident on 12th September 1944

The memorial service held at the site of the accident on the 12th September 1944

Many thanks to Michael Mole (son of Cpl. James Albert Mole) for all the information and photographs on this page.

In Memory of

WILLIAM EDWARD GILL 

Corporal
1020043
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 30

In Memory of

JAMES ALBERT MOLE 

Corporal
1182706
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 29

In Memory of

HERBERT BROMLEY JONES 

Leading Aircraftman
1229734
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944.

In Memory of

JAMES FREDERICK THOMPSON 

Leading Aircraftman
1638282
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 42.

In Memory of

JAMES ELLIS 

Aircraftman 1st Class
1528092
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 23.

In Memory of

THOMAS EDWARD HENRY GRAHAM 

Leading Aircraftman
915349
9156 Servicing Ech., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 25.